[Elias]

1. Responsible decision starting on the 250, so a pat on the back there. IMO, I would graduate to the 650R. Why? Because it’s sexy, and I’m biased because I want one.
2. Don’t be a squid. I retract previously mentioned pat on back.
3. I’d ride it…but I’m a broke ass vagabond. I’d camp it too. But the average real world person will tell you that your ass is going to fall off after riding a sport bike that far.
4. Riding is not swimming. Of course I don’t get cramps when I swim after eating, either. I’ve never heard of this rule, but I could see people defending it for the sake of fatigue. Sounds like a personal choice to me.

[Elias]

If his heart is set, then there’s hardly anything WE can say. But for the record, I’d never ride with a beginner on a shiny new GIXER. So if you have friends that are promoting this decision, well, it seems that they don’t care about you as much as some strangers on a forum. Do your research and figure it out: from the right mindset it’s a bad call, and we shouldn’t have to explain it to you. Get an SV or the 650R if you’re too cool for sub-600’s. Personally, I’m with SCR in that IDC what you get, but I’m definitely not going feel bad for you when your next thread is “Lucky to be alive.” Good luck on finding your way, and no matter what bike you get, be smart & be safe. Don’t give in to the powerband.

[Elias]

Take it from someone who has done the research, obsessed over the facts, and put in the time and effort:
DONT GET AN I-4 600cc FOR YOUR FIRST BIKE
Not that you can’t ever get one, but it will provide too many unnecessary variables for a beginner street rider. For a first bike: think sub 500cc I-4’s, or cap out at 650 for the twins.

Done and done

[Elias]

+1

[Elias]

bummer. Well, I actually really do appreciate the GUI and functionality of this site, up until that point. Ben did a great job. The reason I was asking is because I can’t remember all the different places I have posted, and just wanted to make sure I responded to anyone who needed it. So yes, Googling would help for the threads that I remembered. But for the ones that I haven’t commented on in awhile, well, I guess I’m SOL (along with anyone waiting for a response). Thanks tho

[Elias]

Good stuff. Sounds like I don’t have to worry about the bike getting hurt if I’m just changing out the can. I’m assuming it would pop sometimes though? As for smog, I will ask around in AZ what the emissions testing laws are for bikes. Thanks for the help…

[Elias]

Nope, not trying to be rude at all. What PhilUp wrote was spot-on and I was complimenting him on compressing what I have learned in all my research. I could throw in some smileys and lol’s to lighten the mood if you want? Just kidding, really…

But you make a very good point that hasn’t been brought up yet: to consider the other factors that make or break a beginner bike. I suppose the reason I focused on size and configuration was because it seemed that the majority of people praising 650R’s as a beginner bike were basing that off of engine size and configuration (throttle predictability). I am trying to get to the bottom of the most common arguments out there that are for or against the 650R as a first bike, and why they oppose one another.

[Elias]

Bravo. That pretty much sums up the average of all the advice I have received in my research these past few months. And apologies on the 500R mistake, you are correct, it is in fact a P-2…all the better! I was walking today and a Blast drove by me when it occurred to me that it was a good all around choice. I always believed that I would buy a bike with low displacement, but what I wanted to find out here was why 650R’s and SV650’s are considered exceptions to the “Start off lower than 600cc” rule (as per the recommendations on this site). I guess mechanically it’s just a bit less wild, but it’s still a big beginner bike.

Any present 650R owners have any input? Even better, anyone who started on a 650R?

Where’s acidpope? TheAbomb12? MattM?

[Elias]

Power band, another good point. So it is acceptable to say that the V-2 and P-2 engines have a more consistent power band throughout, making it more predictable, and thus, easier to ride. So let’s compile to show our progress on this topic:

“A 650cc V-Twin is a good beginner bike, but a 600cc I-4 is not.”

Because:
(1) 2-cyl bikes have less HP, while 4-cyl bikes have more
(2) 2-cyl bikes have a predictable power range, while a 4-cyl bike’s throttle is more ‘explosive’

Now as for your question, I am a beginner so my experience on bikes is limited. While I have ridden dirt bikes and crotch rockets limited distances, I have only sat on cruisers before. I like the way the cruiser feels, but it is not the look I want, it’s just not me. I think dirt bikes are comfortable enough, but a little high. And sport bikes seem to have the happy-medium of the look and feel I am going for. My first bike will only be for local trips and transportation, so long-distance comfort isn’t a huge issue to me.

I find it interesting that you would have done things differently if you could go back. Only one of the two reasons for your decision apply to me, so I will address that one: carbs vs FI.

I have had a carb’d 650cc quad for years, and I’m looking forward to going FI. IMHO, cleaning out a carb (at least on my quad) is a real…pain, to say the least. Now some carbs might be easier to get to than my quad’s, and easier to clean, but I would rather just move on from that whole experience.

I’m assuming you’ve been on a Blast since you took the MSF course. If you started over, would you have chosen a Blast or an SV650S?

Appreciate the feedback.

[Elias]

I’ve heard that argument before, and it is something I have seriously taken into consideration. But doesn’t the twins increase in torque cancel out the decrease in power you are referring to (in regards to this discussion)?

Also, the 500R is an I-4. If your argument holds true that an I-4 is a lot faster than a V-2 or P-2, then will the difference between a 500cc I-4 and a 600cc V-2 be negligible when compared? In applying this, the power of these two engines seem pretty damn close too be claiming that the difference between these two engines makes a world of difference for beginners. But it might, and that’s why I’m here, to find out why.

So is we apply this theory to the paradox, we have:

“A 650cc V-Twin is a good beginner bike, but a 600cc I-4 is not.”

For what they are claiming, those numbers just don’t add up to me.

What else?

[Author]

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